School districts are implementing a variety of more culturally sensitive strategies to increase under-represented students' participation in gifted programs.
The rule governing the eligibility criteria for the gifted program permits wide latitude in its application by school districts.
School districts use several different delivery models for school-based and center-based gifted programs. Depending on the prevalence of gifted students across schools within a district, some models may be more cost-effective than others.
Although district staff interpret the needs of gifted students in many ways, they perceive alternative courses are designed to meet high-performing gifted students' intellectual and academic needs. However, alternative courses may not address students' emotional, social, and creative needs. Alternative courses also do not meet the needs of underachieving gifted students.
Gifted high school students are choosing not to participate in the gifted program and 18 districts do not offer high school students a gifted program.
Parents believe an independent evaluation increases their child's probability of placement in the gifted program and provides a fast, accurate, and confidential evaluation.

Some Progress Made in Monitoring Services for Gifted Students; Additional Steps Needed
Report 10-36 April 2010
Florida's Gifted Student Population Grew Faster Than the Overall School Enrollment
Report 08-01 January 2008

Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.